PLYMOUTH 1 - 1 CARDIFF. Match thread

[kendoddsdadsdogsdead]

Millwall missed the penalty

[A Quiet Monkfish]

We have won 3 games out of the last 20, if as some believe that the squad is mid table at best, then it can only be down to the coaching staff?

Positives today were that we hung on for a point
Salech looks like he knows how to score
Ramsey lasted a whole game

Just frustrating that we weren’t 2-3 up by half time
Colwill Alves and Meite all had decent chances just a lack of composure

Another tough game on Tuesday, it’s going to be interesting how we line up against Hull?

The key statistic is that we have managed just 1 clean sheet in our last 21 league matches. Extrapolating that through the next 12 games, we're toast.

[the other bob wilson]

The key statistic is that we have managed just 1 clean sheet in our last 21 league matches. Extrapolating that through the next 12 games, we're toast.

Yep, taken in isolation today, and last week, were decent outcomes, but the cold facts are that we’re a team that wins something like two matches in every nine we play, we score something like 1.1 goals a game and one clean sheet in 21 means we need to score at least two a game to win - something’s got to change hasn’t it.

[Eric the Half a Bee]

We have won 3 games out of the last 20

We've also lost only twice in our last 13 games in all competitions, or last 11 in the league. Since the 3-2 defeat to Oxford, we're ranked 14th in games since then. Only 6 sides have scored more goals than us in the league since then as well.

[Eric the Half a Bee]

Yep, taken in isolation today, and last week, were decent outcomes, but the cold facts are that we’re a team that wins something like two matches in every nine we play, we score something like 1.1 goals a game and one clean sheet in 21 means we need to score at least two a game to win - something’s got to change hasn’t it.

We've conceded 10 equalising goals this season, only 3 sides have conceded more. We've scored first on 13 occasions, which is the joint second lowest in the division, winning only 6 of them. Only 4 sides have a worse ppg average after scoring first. Under Bulut, even over the last few months when we were crap, we could still win ugly by a single goal and keep a clean sheet.

I did have a look to see if we had a particularly bad record of scoring 2 in a game and not winning, but it's not been too bad. In 2008/09 we managed 8 2-2 draws that season, most of which we held a lead, and lost out on the playoffs on goals scored. In 1993/94 we scored 2 goals in a game on 18 occasions, failing to win 14 of them, losing 6!!

[olderblue]

We've also lost only twice in our last 13 games in all competitions, or last 11 in the league. Since the 3-2 defeat to Oxford, we're ranked 14th in games since then. Only 6 sides have scored more goals than us in the league since then as well.

All correct, however we are ranked 21st in the league only 3 points ahead of the relegation zone

Probably only winning 3 out of the last 20 games has something to do with this

[Eric the Half a Bee]

All correct, however we are ranked 21st in the league only 3 points ahead of the relegation zone

Probably only winning 3 out of the last 20 games has something to do with this

Winning 1 point from the first 7 games also has something to do with this. Winning 7 out of 33 league games has even more to do with it. Among those 20 league games have been two cup wins.

We are in a better position than we were early in the season. We're not losing too many games. Our biggest problem has been our failure to hold on to leads.

[Pedro de la Rosa]

We've also lost only twice in our last 13 games in all competitions, or last 11 in the league. Since the 3-2 defeat to Oxford, we're ranked 14th in games since then. Only 6 sides have scored more goals than us in the league since then as well.

We have the 21st best form in our last 20 games, with 18 points. We're in deep, deep trouble. We average a goal a game this season and we have kept 4 clean sheets all season. There's a reason we're down there, and our inability to defend despite bringing in 3 centre halves for a hefty chunk of change.

[Pedro de la Rosa]

Based on what? And that isn't meant in a flippant way. You make a general point, how would you evidence it? What makes us half decent, seeing as we have been in a relegation fight all season, What do you think needs to click for us to be half decent?

This, a thousand time this. We've been in relegation battles for 3 of 4 seasons, and were absolutely horrendous for over half of last season. I don't know why people maintain this lot still might come good?!

[olderblue]

Winning 1 point from the first 7 games also has something to do with this. Winning 7 out of 33 league games has even more to do with it. Among those 20 league games have been two cup wins.

We are in a better position than we were early in the season. We're not losing too many games. Our biggest problem has been our failure to hold on to leads.

I wouldn’t disagree that we’re in a better position than we were under Bulut
However I really believe had we gone out to get an experienced Championship Manager who understood this league, we would be in a much better position than we are today

I don’t blame Riza for grabbing the opportunity, I just haven’t seen anything that suggests he is able to take us forward, there again I don’t think anyone without a real grounding in football management would have done any better

There are well established managers available, we chose a different option, so it’s no real surprise to see us still struggling with just 3 points separating us from the relegation zone

[fugsyphil]

What's the point of playing three center halves if you still end up getting caught with a ball over the top allowing a red card last ditch poorly timed tackle. Garbage tactics

[2b2bdoo]

What's the point of playing three center halves if you still end up getting caught with a ball over the top allowing a red card last ditch poorly timed tackle. Garbage tactics

There were signs the first half, even though we played reasonably well, they still looked dangerous with a ball over the top.

[Eric the Half a Bee]

We have the 21st best form in our last 20 games, with 18 points. We're in deep, deep trouble. We average a goal a game this season and we have kept 4 clean sheets all season. There's a reason we're down there, and our inability to defend despite bringing in 3 centre halves for a hefty chunk of change.

We have the 17th best form in our last 27 games since Bulut left.

We have the 23rd best form since our last win.

We have the 14th best form since we lost at Oxford and ended a run of 9 without a win.

Take your pick.

[Eric the Half a Bee]

However I really believe had we gone out to get an experienced Championship Manager who understood this league, we would be in a much better position than we are today

I don't.

I don't believe experience is necessarily better. I also don't necessarily believe that another manager would have this side hovering in mid table, well away from safety. Defensively we haven't got the quality, regardless of who the manager is. Bulut went with "get everyone behind the ball and don't dare attack" and we conceded lots. Riza encourages his team to attack more as a better form of defence and we still concede too many goals.

They say a good side is built from the back. Ours isn't. Pedro De La Rosa is spot on when he mentions our inability to defend. Silk purse and sow's ear comes to mind.

[Wales-Bales]

We have won 3 games out of the last 20, if as some believe that the squad is mid table at best, then it can only be down to the coaching staff?

Positives today were that we hung on for a point
Salech looks like he knows how to score
Ramsey lasted a whole game

Just frustrating that we weren’t 2-3 up by half time
Colwill Alves and Meite all had decent chances just a lack of composure

Another tough game on Tuesday, it’s going to be interesting how we line up against Hull?

I think we would have won if Colwill scored. He should have at least hit the target.

[the other bob wilson]

I don't.

I don't believe experience is necessarily better. I also don't necessarily believe that another manager would have this side hovering in mid table, well away from safety. Defensively we haven't got the quality, regardless of who the manager is. Bulut went with "get everyone behind the ball and don't dare attack" and we conceded lots. Riza encourages his team to attack more as a better form of defence and we still concede too many goals.

They say a good side is built from the back. Ours isn't. Pedro De La Rosa is spot on when he mentions our inability to defend. Silk purse and sow's ear comes to mind.

Clearly, the Riza approach is giving us a better chance of surviving than the Bulut one was. However, when the question is asked is this the worst Cardiff defence in a generation, the evidence tends to suggest it is. I thought we were well on the way to winning that game while it was eleven v eleven, but did I have any faith in us seeing it out for a 1-0 win? No, because we’ve only won one league game by that score all season and, let’s face it, the move which led to the game changing red card was a basic one whereby we buckled in a way that a decent defence wouldn’t have.

[A Quiet Monkfish]

Clearly, the Riza approach is giving us a better chance of surviving than the Bulut one was. However, when the question is asked is this the worst Cardiff defence in a generation, the evidence tends to suggest it is. I thought we were well on the way to winning that game while it was eleven v eleven, but did I have any faith in us seeing it out for a 1-0 win? No, because we’ve only won one league game by that score all season and, let’s face it, the move which led to the game changing red card was a basic one whereby we buckled in a way that a decent defence wouldn’t have.

As Pedro says we've thrown untold £millions on 3 centre backs who can't play a game in the Championship without making a simple mistake. I never thought I'd pine for Flint/Nelson..

[bobh]

Looked the right decision on the replay. He got the man , not the ball.

He was last man when he brought down Plymouth player.

Does Goutas miss 3 games ?

How long you been watching football? Of course it’s not 3 games. Was it violent contact? NO!

So...
was it violent conduct? - 3 game ban
or
Professional foul? - one game ban.?

[olderblue]

I don't.

I don't believe experience is necessarily better. I also don't necessarily believe that another manager would have this side hovering in mid table, well away from safety. Defensively we haven't got the quality, regardless of who the manager is. Bulut went with "get everyone behind the ball and don't dare attack" and we conceded lots. Riza encourages his team to attack more as a better form of defence and we still concede too many goals.

They say a good side is built from the back. Ours isn't. Pedro De La Rosa is spot on when he mentions our inability to defend. Silk purse and sow's ear comes to mind.

If we manage to stay up, and it’s a big if
Would you be happy to see Riza given a contract for next season?

[Bobby Dandruff]

If we manage to stay up, and it’s a big if
Would you be happy to see Riza given a contract for next season?

No but that is exactly what will/would happen.

[Father Dougal]

If we manage to stay up, and it’s a big if
Would you be happy to see Riza given a contract for next season?

Only if the "Omer riza we want you to stay" chant takes off.

[Tuerto]

Only if the "Omer riza we want you to stay" chant takes off.

I've already started to practice it when i'm in the shower.

[Mr Soul '68]

Only if the "Omer riza we want you to stay" chant takes off.

and only if he fist pumps the chanting fans it in the last game of the season, after a spectacularly embarrassing defeat

[Bluebirdman Of Alcathays]

No but that is exactly what will/would happen.

Maybe, but some expected Lamouchi to be kept on. VT might not be happy with things as they stand but who knows?

[Pedro de la Rosa]

No but that is exactly what will/would happen.

He won't. Paul Abantanado is on twitter saying the team is underachieving (they're not). He'll get this from Dalman.

I think Fish needs to go and play for a full season somewhere. I don't know what level but it doesn't matter. Daland, I'm tempted to write off completely but I guess we've got 13 games left. £4m centre halves should be stand out players at this level, he looks poor in a bad side and he's 25. I've had enough of the "he's young (he's not), he's still adapting (he's not)". Even if he becomes a decent player at this level, and he's got some way to go, he's a desperately poor signing.